The Minnesota Department of Corrections said a corrections officer at the Minnesota Correctional Facility-Rush City was assaulted by an inmate Wednesday morning.

DOC Director of Communications Sarah Fitzgerald said the assault occurred around 7 a.m. at the officers' desk in a living unit at the facility. Fitzgerald said the officer defended herself and other officers responded in seconds, restraining the inmate.

The inmate was removed from the general prison population and placed in restrictive housing immediately. The unit where the incident occurred has been placed on lockdown.

The corrections officer was punched in the face and Fitzgerald said she was taken to the hospital for further evaluation.